The latest opinion, news, and happenings from the Norwalk Democrats.
Reps. Morris, Fleischmann Champion School Expulsion Provision
Rep. Bruce Morris
June 29, 2007
Legislation sponsored by State Representative Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk) and state Representative Andrew Fleischmann (D-West Hartford), House Chairman of Education Committee, to provide information about locally available free and reduced-rate legal services to students facing school expulsion hearings was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly as part of the state budget.
The existing law requires school districts to inform parents that they have a right to legal representation at an expulsion hearing. Understanding the long term significance of an expulsion decision, coupled with a lack of understanding of education law, families with the financial means usually employ an attorney. However, until now, those who are economically disadvantaged are unable to exercise this right.
Rep. Morris said, "It only makes sense that a person should be afforded legal representation when they can be denied up to 180 days from school. Our constitution provides for equal access under the law. However, those who are economically disadvantaged and typically minority do not have equal access to attorneys. Also, without legal representation, one can reasonably conclude that a student with an attorney has a greater opportunity than a student without representation to remain in school. An expulsion hearing is by nature a legal proceeding. We provide Public Defenders for the economically disadvantaged in the Judicial System. Therefore, it is only fair that we do so in this regard. I highly commend Connecticut Legal Services for organizing the pro-bono project."
Education Committee Chairman Fleischmann said, "This new law will help many families in Norwalk and across Connecticut get the legal services they may need at a difficult time for them and their children. Bruce Morris was a great champion for this cause. It's particularly impressive that he was so effective advocating for this change in his first year in the Assembly – the people of Norwalk has a great representative and advocate in Bruce."
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Rep. Bruce Morris
June 29, 2007
Legislation sponsored by State Representative Bruce Morris (D-Norwalk) and state Representative Andrew Fleischmann (D-West Hartford), House Chairman of Education Committee, to provide information about locally available free and reduced-rate legal services to students facing school expulsion hearings was approved by the Connecticut General Assembly as part of the state budget.
The existing law requires school districts to inform parents that they have a right to legal representation at an expulsion hearing. Understanding the long term significance of an expulsion decision, coupled with a lack of understanding of education law, families with the financial means usually employ an attorney. However, until now, those who are economically disadvantaged are unable to exercise this right.
Rep. Morris said, "It only makes sense that a person should be afforded legal representation when they can be denied up to 180 days from school. Our constitution provides for equal access under the law. However, those who are economically disadvantaged and typically minority do not have equal access to attorneys. Also, without legal representation, one can reasonably conclude that a student with an attorney has a greater opportunity than a student without representation to remain in school. An expulsion hearing is by nature a legal proceeding. We provide Public Defenders for the economically disadvantaged in the Judicial System. Therefore, it is only fair that we do so in this regard. I highly commend Connecticut Legal Services for organizing the pro-bono project."
Education Committee Chairman Fleischmann said, "This new law will help many families in Norwalk and across Connecticut get the legal services they may need at a difficult time for them and their children. Bruce Morris was a great champion for this cause. It's particularly impressive that he was so effective advocating for this change in his first year in the Assembly – the people of Norwalk has a great representative and advocate in Bruce."
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©2008 Norwalk Democratic Town Committee · Paid for by the Norwalk Democratic Town Committee, David Murchie, Treasurer